Gangs

Gangs. Three, of the Crips brandishing rifles. GALE, CENGAGE LEARNING.     

Gang Members

What are the characteristics that comprise a “gang”? What impacts do social or cultural capital have on the formation of these gangs? The definition of “gang” has gone through numerous changes throughout the years and has been modified by the individuals that reside within each generation. Gangs, and those who were a part of them, started off being known as “ the rogues or the bad guys” in society and have progressed to now being considered,    “any durable, street-oriented group whose own identity includes involvement in illegal activities”. In today’s society they are still considered to be “rogues” or “bad guys”, but most people associate the term “gangs” with one of two extremes; either today’s youth that come from “disorganized” communities or the polar opposite, the elite entrepreneur gangs who are in the gang largely for the money. Gangs are recognized through the atmosphere of fear or intimidation in which they establish their social position and through their utilization of a common symbol to represent them as a whole. Gangs are a common occurrence within all societies, that take form at all levels of age, and within all variations of people.

Common symbol representing Blood Gang